Handlebar modification, help !

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JPT
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2003 10:56 am
Location: Cape Town

by JPT

I've recently bought myself a Ritchey WCS bar and would like to know what are the best ways to lighten it up a bit.

I am thinking of cutting away a bit of the drops (say about 1cm).

I have also seen on a Bontrager that holes are drilled near the ends. Is this wise to do, and is there a special technique that should be used?

Any advise and engineering knowledge appreciated.

Joel
Posts: 744
Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 1:43 pm
Location: Belgium

by Joel

You can cut a bit of because you don't really need the end of the bar.

by Weenie


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asphaltdude
Posts: 1231
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Location: Holland
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by asphaltdude

The Richtey bars have very long drops (compare them to ITM the bar!), you can cut off 1.5 - 2 cm if you want!

I don't think drilling holes in de ends of the bar wil weaken it significantly, you don't excert any force on it there.
Whow! That's a pretty damn nice garage door!

HäddaFahn
Posts: 299
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2003 4:51 pm

by HäddaFahn

1 cm is about 4 gr...so if yu cut away 2 cm at both ends...its aprox. 16 gr...not so bad. :D

popawheelie
Posts: 1019
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2002 3:42 pm
Location: in Colorado

by popawheelie

With shorter bars you can put more bartape on the bars. If you stretch it at the bottom you can really wrap it thick at the top where your hands are most of the time.
I don't spend much time in the drops and if I do my hands are up towards the front so I can keep a finger on the brakes.

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Superlite
Posts: 2325
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 9:01 pm

by Superlite

Messing with your handlebars is dangerous and stupid. If you want a lighter handlebar buy a lighter one. Not trying to be rude, but seriously, its VERY dangerous, just looking out for my peeps! 8)

Joel
Posts: 744
Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 1:43 pm
Location: Belgium

by Joel

But it's not dangerous to cut off a bit :roll:

JPT
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2003 10:56 am
Location: Cape Town

by JPT

Thanks for your concern Supalite.

I won't modify the bars at crucial stress points. I just think that the ends of the bars are fairly safe to tamper with.

I see the drillings on the Bontrager bars are in a X shape across the diameter (O). I think if it's in a + shape it might be more likely to bend downwards if you put a lot of presure on it. But the drillings would be quite close to the edge, so the chances of bending it should be minimal. Drillings would be from ring finger to your pinkie, if you place your hands on the ends of the bar.

popawheelie
Posts: 1019
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2002 3:42 pm
Location: in Colorado

by popawheelie

Go for it man. You have nothing to loose but weight!

by Weenie


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